U.S.A. TV

[Udet]

There is this question i would like to ask to my colleagues from the USA here; i was wondering how come i have not asked this in the past, even if i have been to the USA so many times and have dear people over there.

What could explain this apparent fascination so many people in the USA have about those TV programs, documentals and even shows that are related to crime?

You know, programs showing cops beating the sh*t out of criminals and non-criminals alike, or criminals beating the sh*t out of a police officer; cops shooting criminals, cops getting shot by criminals; armed robbery as taped in surveillance video cameras showing criminals shooting the helpless cashier, or brave and armed store owners who route the criminals who attempted to rob their stores. Crimes committed by the "celebrities". TV news helicopters broadcasting dramatic persecutions of criminals. Also there are shows or TV series portraying the fascinating and enlightening spectacle of life inside prisons in the USA: blacks beating the sh*t out of whites, whites beating the sh*it out of latins, russian, chinese, mexican criminals doing business in the facility, drug smuggling, dirty prison guards, inmates getting raped by other inmates, people in death row...too much information.

If i recall correctly there also are some TV shows where judges (?) hear the two parties involved in disputes...do not know what those exactly are, but there is something like that.

I do not watch all that much TV, but when i visit the USA and the TV set is on, i do recall these type of programs.

Your thoughts? Do you think these type of TV shows and programs could be equally succesful wherever on earth they were made?

 

[Matt308]

Just watch YouTube.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Udet - a lot of what you describe is a lot of the trash shows on TV, but in essence I find most prime time TV aired by the major broadcasters (ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX) trash. Personally I haven't been into prime time TV shows in years. My wife likes American Idol and some other crap in which I continually warn her she is loosing IQ points every time she watches that crap.

I prefer to surf the internet - if I do watch TV it's the history or military channel, the news or a hockey game.

 

[Matt308]

In order of preference. Rented movies (rarely since so much is 2 hours of your life you never get back), sports, Discovery, History Channel, and admittedly some Food Network. Don't watch TV but maybe honestly 4-6 hours a week absolute max?

 

[mkloby]

I think maybe it comes down to the american psyche loves drama - of any kind, it doesn't matter. Reality TV, cops shows, greatest chases - you name it - if it has drama in it, the drama queens will be watching.

 

[pbfoot]

I think the reason that they are so popular is that they are very cheap to make one set very little crew req'd and there is very small cast

 

[comiso90]

I think the reason that they are so popular is that they are very cheap to make one set very little crew req'd and there is very small cast

That is a fact. Absolutely true.

Americans are increasingly desensitized by the ever increasing level of "Shock". Media of all types, games, movies and TV all require more energy to impress the public.

There will be pay for view executions in 20 years

 

[Udet]

My wife likes American Idol and some other crap in which I continually warn her she is loosing IQ points every time she watches that crap.

Very nicely put flyboy. I agree with you.

One thing came to my mind when watching a bit of those TV programs; it is a simple question:

If all that violence shown on TV could be watched by underage guys, how come adult movies are considered to have not been tailored to suit underage audiences?

Watching a man getting shot, stabbed or brutally beaten is ok -or at least it is not considered "big deal"-, including very harsh and "graphic" vocabulary, but taking a look at the sexual thing is not ok.

Also in hollywood movies...is it ok to have a 15 or 16 year old kid watching the ultra-violent graphic scenes shown in the opening scene on "Saving Private Ryan" but at the same time it is not ok to have the same kid watching a couple enaged in customized sexual works?

Similar to the ancient never ending debate: why is marijuana banned while alcohol isn´t?

It should be important to clarify i do not like adult movies at all; bikini and lingerie catalogs are great though. I have never tried any drug, ever. Alcohol -preferrably red wine- is ok one or two times per month, and i do not smoke.

It is just that one can sometimes notice there are strange notions and definitons that have been accepted to be in place. Who came first with the idea violence is fine if watched virtually by everyone while sex can be harmful?

Or our colleagues here who have little children at home, try to rapidly change the channel if for whatever reason an adult movie appears on screen when the kids are around? Is the reaction the same, say, if what´s on screen is Rambo growling as he fires his machine gun killing several dozens of guys?

I understand answering this questions can be quite a complex matter. Just enjoy thinking.

Makes you wonder how important TV really is...meaning, its impact.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Matt308]

...and to put things into perspective, in 2009 the US will switch over to digital transmissions. All analog TV sets will no longer work without a digital receiver. The US gov't in its infinite wisdom has decided to set aside $900M to provide anyone who asks a $40 voucher towards a digital receiver.

Now that's $900M well spent.

 

[Udet]

you are not being serious are you Matt?

 

[Matt308]

Unfortunately, I am VERY serious. As a taxpayer, I am beyond livid.

 

[Screaming Eagle]

I got told I watch too much TV. And yes I do admit I do.

 

[Matt308]

Sucks your intelligence directly through your forehead. Whatever IQ you possessed is likely 20pts lower if you watch too much TV.

 

[pbfoot]

Sucks your intelligence directly through your forehead. Whatever IQ you possessed is likely 20pts lower if you watch too much TV.

Yep TV is pretty brutal in the US . It's bad when they put a laugh track in so the viewers know when to laugh.
.

 

[trackend]

I think thats a bit much Matt you having to subsidizing other peoples tv equipment.

You cant beat Judge Judy Two people arguing the toss over the custody of a micro wave or some other innocuous piece of ****
Still I think thats better than some of these confession chat shows either home grown or from overseas with captions like " My husband's a transvestite rubber fetish salesman and it's stretching our relationship too far ".
Thats when its time for me to retire to the study and check out the WW2aircraft web site

 

[Ajax]

Sucks your intelligence directly through your forehead. Whatever IQ you possessed is likely 20pts lower if you watch too much TV.

Depends what you watch. Watch that Reality TV junk and you will lose several thousand brain cells...

 

[bigZ]

Left the TV on while working on the computer tonight.

I was distracted by some drama called "Mile High". Unfortunately aircraft and sex didn't show in it much.

 

[Wildcat]

It's good to know that we here in Oz aren't the only ones who have to put up with sh*t on TV. I personally watch very little tv, infact only the news and once in awhile a decent doco or movie. My wife on the other hand, loves all that Judge Judy, biggest loser, Australian Idol reality tv bullsh*t. I can't stand it! If I had my way, the networks would be showing repeats of the oldschool greats such as Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes etc which I believe are superior to the crap we get to choose from today.

 

[davparlr]

I'm sitting here watching "The Untouchables" (1963). A series that was taken off in the sixties because of violence.

 

[AAA_leadsled]

I agree the amount of crap on tv is unbelievable, I think they will eventually make a reality show for every concievable situation.

All I can say is thank goodness for History Channel, Military Channel, and Blockbuster Online!

Even the weather channel hardly shows current weather, everytime I flip over you have to wait thru another disaster show, their comments on global warming or some other crap.